Game-registering cabinet.



H. B. SCHMIDT & M. W. ARENS. GAME REGISTERING CABINET. AIPLIGATION FILED33.25, 1913.

1,085,494. Patented Jan. 27, 1914.

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H. B. SCHMIDT & M. W. ARENS. GAME REGISTERING CABINET. APPLICATION FILEDAPR.25, 1913.

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H. E. SCHMIDT & M. W. ARENS. GAME REGISTERING CABINET. APPLIOATION TILEDAPB.25, 1913.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERMAN E. SCHMIDT AND MATTHEW W. ARENS, 0F SELBY, SOUTH DAKOTA.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, HERMAN E. SCHMIDT ARENS, citizens of the residingat Selby, 1n the all of the essential registering elements beinggoverned, directly or indirectly by a single master-control elementdesigned for actuation through the use of a suitable key, whereby theentire operation of the registering elements is prevented except upondue. authorized use of the key.

The main object of the present invention is the provision of a cabinetof this type in which the balls for use in the game are normally securedin their racks, and released for playing purposes only by use of theproper key, such key serving at the same time, if desired to registerthe number of the particular game, the time registering element beingset in operation with a man ual movement of a. key, which key is lockedagainst return movement except following a further actuation of themaster-control element.

The invention in the preferred form of details will be described in thefollowing specification, reference being had particular to theaccompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved cabinet. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same. Fig. 3is an en larged section on line 33 of Fig. 2, the score registeringelement being shown in normal or inoperative position. Fig. 4 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 3 with the score registering element in operativeposition. Fig. 5 is a section on line 55 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a sectionon line 66 of Fig. 2. Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are detail views of thecontrolling means for the time register. Fig. 10 is a Specification ofLetters Patent.

Application filed April 25, 1913.

Patented Jan. 27,1914. Serial No. 763,608.

face View of the time registering dial. Fig. 1is a face view of the gameregistering c 1a In the preferred form of the invention, as shown in thedrawings, the improved cabinet comprises an upper inclosed section 1,and a lower open section 2, the latter depending from the former andbeing preferably in the form of racks 3 to receive and support the balls4: with which the games are played.

Arranged within the section 1 of the cabinet is the scoring register,including a series of rows, each made up of a series of successivelynumbered tablets designed to be operated by push buttons, and whenoperated to expose the particular number on the tablet to indicate thescore. Each tablet is identical in construction and operation with everyother tablet, and a detail description of one will sufiice for all. Eachof said mechanisms include a right angle lever 5 provided at one endwith a disk or tablet 6, bearing a number and at the opposite end with alaterally projecting pin 7. The levers 5 of each row are pivotallymounted upon a rod 8 supported in brackets 9, se cured to the innersurface of the front wall of the section 1, spacing sleeves 10 beingarranged intermediate the respective levers, so that the numbered disk 6of each operates in rear of an opening 11 formed in such front wall. Anoperating bar 12 is provided for each angle lever 5, said bar in eludinga rod like member 13, which projects through an opening 14 in the wallof the section 1, and is provided beyond the wall with a push button 15.The operating bar also includes a locking section 16 formed with arecess 17 to receive the pin 7 of the lever 5 and with a locking notch18 to cooperate with the edge of a locking bar 19. The locking bar 19comprises a flat strip slidably mounted in guide sections 20 of brackets21 secured to the inner surface of the front wall of the casing. Thebrackets are so connected to the casing that the looking bar, which itwill be understood, cooperates with the scoring members of one row, ismovable at right angles to the path of movement of the operating bar 12of each counter. Springs 22 connected to the brackets 21 and to thelocking bar serve to maintain the latter in operative position, and toreturn the bar to such-position when operated to release the actuatedcounters, as will hereinafter appear. A coil spring is terminallyconnected to the angle lever in advance of the pivot and to the rod 13of the operating bar, and a stop member in the form of a rod 24 issecured to the casing in position to overlie the angle levers of onerow, and form a limit for the upward movement. of the disk carriedsection of said lever.

In the operation of the scoring or counting register, it will beunderstood that a particular push button, or that push buttoncorresponding to the number of points made in the particular play, ispressed inwardly, the operating bar is moved inwardly, rocking the anglelever 5 on its pivot until the numbered disk 6 is exposed through theopening 11, thus indicating the number of points. In this movement thelocking notch 18 in the operating bar engages over the edge of thelocking bar 19, and the coil. spring 28 compressed, thus holding thenumbered disk exposed, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

The time registering structure, utilized when the game to be played isto be paid for in accordance with the time required for such game,includes a clock work mechanism arranged within the upper section orusing 1 of the cabinet, preferably near the top thereof. This mechanism,aside from the specific details noted may be of any type desired, theordinary spring type being shown. F or the purposes of the present invention, one of the main arbors 25 of the clock train is provided with apinion 26, and beyond the pinion is extended to loosely receive a sleeve27 on which at one end there is secured an indicating dial 28 and on theopposite end a gear 29. The indicating dial, shown more particularly inFig. 10 is provided with an edge series of numerals 30 adapted to besuccessively exposed through an opening 31 in the front wall of thecasing. Preferably the numerals are arranged in multiples of 5, thoughit is to be understood that any style or character of time registeringmay be used on the dial, the present instance of course, indicating bythe numerals exposed the cash amount due for the time utilized in thegame up to that point.

For the purposes of the present invention, means must be providedwhereby the clock train may be started and stopped only by theauthorized person, in order that the full period utilized in the gamemay be registered. To this end we arrange in an appropriate part of theclock train what we term a controlling wheel 32 having a periphery offriction material. A lever is pivotally mounted adjacent such wheel,having One end thereof provided with a friction tab 35 to overlie theperiphery of the wheel 32, a spring 86 cooperating with said lever tonormally hold the operative end thereof in such frictional engagementwith the wheel as to hold the clock train against operation. Theopposite end of the lever is connected by a flexible connector 37 withthe angle lever 5 of a device similar in all respects to one of thecounting mechanisms heretofore described, except that this timeregistering controlled button is without the numbered disk, beingpreferably arranged in line with and as one of the upper row of scoringregistering elements. To control the connection of the dial with themechanism of the clock train, we mount on a frame bar as 38 of suchframe, a stub shaft 39, and arrange upon said stub shaft a sleevesection 40 carrying a gear 41, adapted when in operative position tomesh with the pinion 26 of the clock train, said sleeve also carrying apinion 42 which is at all times in mesh with the gear 2S) having fixedrelation with the dial. A spring 43 is arranged to encircle the stubshaft between the sleeve 40 and the frame bar 38, said spring operatingto normally hold the gear 41 out of mesh with the pinion 26. A bracket44- is secured to the rear wall of the casing 1 and supports an anglelever 45 having one forked at 4.6 to engage the stub shaft 39, and theopposite end provided with a liexible connector 47 having one end connected to the angle lever 5 of the time registering control button towhich the connector 37 is attached.

From this construction itwill be obvious that in the actuation of thetime registering control button the levers 34 and 45 will be operated torelease the brake and simultaneously connect the dial with the clocktrain, and that such button will be locked against opposite movementuntil released by actuation of the master-control element, as will laterappear. It is of course to be understood that the gearing arrangedbetween the clock train and the dial is such as to cause said dial to beproperly operated by the clock train, that is to expose its proper cashindicating amount in accordance with the time occupied. Ne contemplatein this connection the use of any indicating data on the dial, it beingunderstood that the movement of the dial. will be governed in accordancewith such data, that is to say will accurately register the cash amount,the time employed, or any other desired data.

The game register, that is the device for registering the number ofgames played includes a dial 4S rotatably mounted in the upper portionof the casing 1 and bearing a. series of concentric numerals 49successively exposed through an opening 50 in the front wall of thecasing. A toothed disk 51 is secured to the dial, the teeth beingarranged in the path of movement of the lever 52 pivotally supported at53 in the casing, and operated from the master-control element to aflexible connection 54. A release dog 55 is mounted on the casing wallin position to engage the tooth in rear of that tooth engaged by thelever 52, said release dog normally preventing retrograde movement ofthe dial, said dog being connected with the master-control elementthrough flexible connections 56, 57 and an angle lever 58 pivotallysupported on the casing wall. A stop to limit the movement of the dialto one revolution, is provided, by securing an arm 59 to the tootheddisk and having one end offset to avoid interference with the dog andlever and adapted to engage a pin 60 projecting from the casing wall.

The invention also contemplates a means for locking the balls 4 in theracks 3, said means including a frame comprising uprights 61 connectedby cross bars 62, there being one such cross bar for each ball rack. Theuprights extend through the bottom of the casing and within the latterare mounted in guides 63 between one of which and the headed end 64 ofeach upright is arranged a coil spring 65. Each upright within thecasing is notched at 66, and a spring pressed dog 67 is arranged tocooperate with the notch. This arrangement of parts is such that whenthe dog is in engagement with the notch 66 of the upright, the crossbars 62 are about centrally of the ball receiving space of each ballrack, hence preventing the withdrawal of the balls from the racks, thesprings operating, upon disconnection of the dogs from the notches tomove the frame upwardly, elevating said cross bars, and providing asuflicient space for the withdrawal of the balls. The dogs, of whichthere is one for each upright are each connected by two flexibleconnectors 68 with the master-control element, for a purpose which willlater appear.

The master-control elementcomprises a barrel 69 rotatably supportedbetween the walls of the casing 1, said casing. The rotation of thisbarrel is designed to be controlled by a look, so that the barrel can berotated only through the introduction of the proper key. The detailsmaking up this control are unimportant in the present invention, as manytypes of such devices are well known, and we therefore desire to limitourselves only to the extent of providing a barrel adapted for rotation,and held against such rotation except by the use of a proper key. Thebarrel is adapted for rotation in either direction, and the variousflexible connectors hereinbefore near the lower end of referred to areconnected to this barrel. The locking bars 19 of each row of the scoringdevices are preferably fixedly connected together, that is made in oneframe structure, as clearly shown in Fig. 2 and this structure isconnected to the barrel by flexible connectors 70 which are terminallyconnected to the barrel at diametrically opposite points, so that thelocking bars will be operated no matter in which direction the barrel isturned. The flexible connectors 68, leading from each dog 67 are alsoconnected at diametrically opposite points from the barrel, so that thedogs are operated in the movement of the barrel in either direction theconnector 54 extending from the operating lever for the game dial isconnected to the barrel at one point, while the connector 57, leadingfrom the release dog is connected to the barrel diametrically oppositethe at tachment of the connector 54 thereto, so that in the rotation ofthe barrel in one direction the lever 52 will be operated, and in thebarrel rotation in the opposite direction, the release dog will beoperated. A spring 71 is secured on the game registering disk andadapted to be tensioned in the registering movement of such disk, sothat upon release of the disk by proper actuation of the dog 55, thedisk will return to normal position. The barrel is preferably providedat one end with a diametrically extending plate 72 adapted to bear uponsprings 73, fixedly supported from the casing at their opposite ends, asat 74, provision being thus made for the return of the barrel to normalposition following its operation.

If desired, cords 74 may be mounted in the casing and supported in anydesired manner, as over a pulley, and weighted, or wound about a springdrum or the like, the ends of the cords beyond the casing being providedwith cups 75 for the reception of the usual blocks of due chalks.

In operation assuming the game to be played is to be paid for inaccordance with the time occupied, an authorized person by the use of a.proper key unlocks the barrel and rotates the same in a direction whichwould otherwise operate the release dog 55 of the game disk. Thismovement of the barrel withdraws the dog 67 from the uprights 61 of theball rack frame and permits the springs to force said rack into aposition to release the balls. The balls are now ac cessible for use onthe table, and at the same time as the balls are put in play the authorized operator actuates the time registering control button, hereinbeforereferred to. The operation of this button locks it in set or operatedposition and at the same time releases the brake 35 on the clock trainand causes a gearing coupling of he clock train and time indicatingdial. hen the game has been finished the amount to be paid is indicatedat the opening 31, and after the balls have been restored to the rackthe operator by again turning the connectors 70, one or the other,withdraws the locking bar 19 from the time registering control button,as well as from those buttons which have been used for scoring purposes,permitting the buttons to return to normal positions under the influenceof the springs 23, as will be obvious. This movement of the timecontrolled button reapplies the brake to the clock train and disconnectsthe dial therefrom. A spring 76 returns the dial to normal position,such position being controlled by a stop '77 carried by the dialcooperating with a pin 78 projecting from the frame of the clock train.

It the registration of the game by number is to be kept, the barrel isunlocked and turned in the direction to draw upon the connector 57,which through operation of the lever 52, imparts a step movement to thegame dial, the barrel being thus operated after each game, and in itsoperation of course re-setting all scoring buttons. hen the number ofgames are completed the dial is actuated in the opposite direction,withdrawing the release dog and permitting the springs 71 to restore thedial to normal position, that is in the position controlled by the stops55) and (30. The arm 52 is slotted to permit limited longitudinalmovement, against the tension of the spring 52, whereby the arm may rideby the teeth on its upward movement, the extreme upper position of thearm being just beyond the path of movement of the teeth. Afterre-setting the parts, and restoring the balls to the racks, the lockingframe is moved downwardly until the spring pressed do s (37 engage thenotches 66, when the balls are locked against withdrawal.

From the above description, it will be seen, that we have provided agame registering cabinet designed particularly for use with the games ofpool, billiards, and the like, in which the balls are locked againstwithdrawal from the cabinet except upon authorized release, and meansare provided. whereby the number of games, or the time employed inplaying a game, or both, are accurately registered, with the registeringmeans wholly beyond control of the players or other unauthorized person,and further means are provided, within control of the y players, forscoring; with the provision of a master-control element "for controllingdirectly or indirectly all of said means. l lVhat is claimed, is zl 1. Agame registering cabinet, and a scoring means arranged therein saidmeans including a manually operable member, a

number carrying member connected therethe barrel actuates with, and alocking bar to automatically engage the manually operable member whenthe latter is in actuated position, and a key controlled elementconnected with said locking bar.

2. A game registering cabinet, and a scoring means arranged therein,said means including a pivotally mounted number carrying lover, amanually operable member connected with said lever and formed with alocking recess, and a locking bar to automatically engage said recesswhen said member has been operated.

A game registering cabinet, and a scoring means arranged therein, saidmeans including a pivotally mounted number carrying lever, a manuallyoperable member connected with said lever and formed with a lockingrecess, and a spring compressed in the operative actuation of saidmember.

4-. A game registering cabinet, and a scoring means arranged therein,said means including a pivotally mounted number carrying lever, amanually operable member connected with said lever and formed with alocking recess, a spring tensioned in the operative actuation of saidmember, and a locking bar to engage the member-recess in the actuationof the member.

A game registering cabinet, and a scoring means arranged therein, saidmeans including a pivotally mounted number carrying lever, a. manuallyoperable member connected with said lever and formed with a lockingrecess, a spring tensioned in the operative actuation of said member, alocking bar to engage said recess in the actuation of the member, and amaster-controlled member to operate the locking bar to release saidmember.

(3. A game registering cabinet including a time registering device,comprising a clock frame, clock mechanism therein, a time indicatingdial, means for operatively connecting said dial to the clock mechanism,a manually operable push button for controlling said means, means forlocking the push button in operative position, and a master-controlmember for releasing the locking means.

7. A game registering cabinet including a time registering device,comprising a clock mechanism, a brake therefor, a time indicating dial,means for operatively connecting said dial to the clock mechanism, amanually operable push button for controlling the brake and saidconnecting means, means for locking the push button in operativeposition, and a master-controlled member for operating the locking meansto release the button.

8. A game registering cabinet including a game number tering dial, alever for imparting a step by step movement to the dial, a spring foroperating the dial in opposit-ion to the lever, a release dog forholding the dial against operation of the spring, and amaster-controlled element mounted for rotation in either direction andoppositely connected to the lever and to the release dog.

9. A game registering cabinet including a time registering device, agame number registering device, a series of scoring devices, a balllocking frame, a push button for opera- In testimony whereof We aflixour signatures in presence of two Witnesses.

HERMAN E. SCHMIDT. MATTHEW W. ARENS. lVitnesses D. W. GOULD, BENNETT S.JONES.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

